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SPRING 2018 ISSUE 01 / VOL . 03
graded on a curve
PRODUCT REVIEWS
Shinko 804 / 805 Adventure Tires
RECENTLY , I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY to try out a pair of Shinko 804 / 805 tires on my 2014 Triumph Tiger 800 XCx , which has spoked wheels that require tube-type tires . My experience with knobby tires began when I raced enduros as a youngster and has continued over the years on various dual-sport and adventure bikes . Prior to testing the Shinko 804 / 805s , I ran a set of Shinko 705s on my Tiger . The 705s are designed for 80-percent on-road / 20- percent off-road use , while the more aggressive 804 / 805 tires are designed for 40-percent on-road / 60-percent off-road use .
The Shinko 804 / 805s are among the best tires I ’ ve used on an adventure bike for the type of riding I do , which includes a majority of freeway miles , some two-lane apex strafing and a sprinkling of rocky , sandy trails and singletrack in places like Death Valley and the Sierra Nevada , covering about 10,000 miles per year . The 804 / 805 tires have not reduced the road manners of the Triumph at all , but have significantly improved its off-road stability and ability while inspiring confidence in corners , wet or dry .
On the road , the initial lean-in requires a bit more effort , but once in corner , the tires hold a line nicely and don ’ t require constant input to maintain a curve . Surprisingly , there is actually less noise from the tires than the Shinko 705s , which are designed for more on-road use .
On the trail , the tires grip admirably . On a recent adventure ride after a rainstorm here in Southern California , we headed into the mountains in Los Padres National Forest . Quatal Canyon Road turned out to be